Posted: December 22, 2004

Athletics: All-Star Lineup Set to Run P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona

The Valley of the Sun will play host to the "Stars" on January 9, 2005

PHOENIX, Ariz. - (Dec. 21, 2004) - The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon returns to the Valley of the Sun with a running field full of "Stars." After a record setting inaugural race in 2004, a trio of celebrities from the sports world will run alongside more than 27,000 participants through the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe on January 9, 2005.

Here is a look at some of the celebrity runners who will be at the start line on January 9:

Luis Gonzalez, outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks:
As a guest of honor in 2004, Luis Gonzalez, one of the most popular figures in Arizona, held the finish line tape as elite athlete Haron Toroitich raced to the marathon finish. This year, the Arizona Diamondback, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, will be running the half-marathon (13.1 miles). General Nutrition Center (GNC) is supporting Gonzo in this year's race promoting happy and healthy lifestyles. Luis will be running with Team Gonzo to help generate funds for local charities.

"This is a way for a lot of important organizations to benefit from a lot of action-oriented people reaching for a goal and having great fun at the same time," says Gonzalez. "I am excited about the training and the race, and I hope we can do a lot of good for the community."

Gonzalez led the majors in 2003 with a .354 batting average against right-handed pitchers while ranking in the top 10 in the National League in six different categories. He made his sixth consecutive Opening Day start for Arizona in 2004. But it was his heroics at the end of the 2001 season for which Gonzalez is most often remembered. He entered the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series hitless in four at bats, but by the end of that at bat he would be in the midst of one of the greatest celebrations ever to hit Arizona. With the bases loaded and a drawn-in infield he sent teammates and fans into a frenzy with a bloop single off Yankee ace closer Mariano Rivera to drive home the winning run that gave Arizona a remarkable 3-2 win and its first World Championship.

Roger Craig, Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco 49ers:
The Pro Bowl running back turned distance runner, Roger Craig will be joining the marathon field on January 9th. Craig ran his first marathon at the 2004 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego in 4:09:57. He liked it so much that he wanted to "see how Arizona rocked," said Craig. As a three-time Super Bowl Champion running back with the San Francisco 49er's (1984, '88-'89), Craig stopped defenders cold in their tracks with his skillful footwork, and powered through opponent's defensive lines with his signature piston-like stride. The 6-foot, 219-pound running back set an NFL record for a running back with 92 pass receptions in 1985, gaining 1,016 yards. He also became the first player in history to gain more than 1,000 yards receiving and more than 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. Coming off a solid performance at the 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, where he finished in 3:54:05, Craig is hoping to turn in a personal best time at the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon.

Shonda Schilling, SHADE Foundation founder & wife of Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Curt Schilling:
Shonda Schilling, mother of four, created the SHADE Foundation in August 2002 after her successful battle with Melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is more than a marathon for Schilling. She and her group of runners from the SHADE Team have committed to running the full 26.2 miles to raise funds in order to help establish an Arizona Melanoma Registry and provide shade coverings for schools. The SHADE Team hopes to raise $25,000. Her husband and two-time World Series champion, Curt Schilling, will join thousands of spectators to cheer his wife to the finish line and match the donations up to $25,000.

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, the largest inaugural, annual road event ever, is the fourth in a series of musical road races that feature a live band staged along every mile of the 26.2 and 13.1-mile race courses to provide runners and spectators with continuous entertainment. Each event is capped with a national recording artist headlining the post-race concert.

The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon starts at 7:40am, with the half-marathon following at 8:30am, on January 9. Both races start at Wesley Bolin Memorial Park in downtown Phoenix and merge for one spectacular finish in downtown Tempe. Gates open for the evening festivities at Tempe Beach Park at 5pm with Zowie Bowie going on at 6pm. Jason Mraz takes the stage at 8pm. All seating will be general admission. The concert location, located in downtown Tempe, is an outdoor venue with grass seating.

To register for the race or for more information on P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, visit www.RnRaz.com, contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 5452 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (858) 450-6510.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.